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Special Olympics Northern California has implemented a Volunteer
of the Year Program to recognize and acknowledge those volunteers
who rise above the rest and go beyond the call of duty for
our Special Olympics athletes.
We are very proud to announce the winners of the 2006 Volunteer
of the Year Awards in the following categories:
| Bob Erickson |
East Bay &
Silicon Valley Regions |
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| The Lemon Family |
Shasta County |
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| Phil Parker |
Sacramento Region |
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| Amador Valley Booster Club |
East Bay Region |
While Special Olympics Northern California appreciates the
efforts of all our volunteers, these volunteers were selected
because of their commitment to our athletes and their dedication
to Special Olympics. We define a Volunteer of the Year as someone
who gives tirelessly of themselves, who is willing to perform
any task needed, often without being asked, and who is an inspiration
to others. The Volunteers of the Year is a person who gives
100% of themselves for the benefit of our Special Olympics
athletes.
The Volunteers of the Year will be invited as our guests to
the Special Olympics Northern California Summer Games the weekend
of June 8th, 2007 and recognized at the Opening Ceremonies
taking place on Friday evening.
On behalf of the athletes, coaches, families, staff and other
volunteers we thank the 2006Volunteers of the Year for their
contributions to Special Olympics Northern California. Now
Meet our Volunteers of the Year.
 Bob Erickson is fondly known to athletes and coaches as "Medical
Bob." He is the Medical Director on our Games Management
Team for most of our Regional Program Championship Games. Bob
takes a leadership role in committing to providing the athletes
quality medical support. He is very serious about his work
but carries out his tasks with a warm smile and friendly demeanor.
He has created a standard for medical care and is always a
comfort to have at any event. Bob recruited and coordinated
the medical volunteers for 5 venues and dorms at the SONC Summer
Games held at the University of California, Berkeley. Even
though Bob is the medical director, he enthusiastically helps
out in other areas at events as well such as with staging,
awards and spotting/loading weights at powerlifting.
Bob sets an excellent standard for volunteer commitment and
we value his continued support.
 The Lemon Family (Bob and Anne and children Chrissy and Mike)
has consistently been active in volunteering for Special Olympics
Shasta County for the last 20 years. Both Bob and his wife
Anne have helped at fund raisers, athletic events and often
help drive athletes to out-of-town sports events several times
a year. Bob has been a head coach for basketball over the last
10-12 years and is the Head Coach for Gymnastics and Softball
as well.
As Bob and Anne's children became older, they too volunteered
for Special Olympics. Their oldest son has been coaching basketball
for the last 3 years and also helps drive athletes to out-of-town
competitions. Their oldest daughter has been an assistant coach
for basketball and soccer for the past 3 years and now coaches
soccer on her own.
Even Bob and Anne's parents have helped out at fund raisers
and in driving athletes to competitions. Special Olympics Shasta
County is truly fortunate to have three generations of Lemons
pitching in to support the Special Olympics athletes.
 Phil exemplifies the Special Olympics spirit by enabling his
athletes to be involved in not only the sports side of the
program but also other activities. He shows his athletes that
they can be involved in other aspects of the program that help
make a difference and give a face to the name of Special Olympics.
Through his coaching efforts he helps teach the skills of the
respective sports and by involving his athletes in other social
situations such as Tip-A-Cop, Torch Run and Duck Race he teaches
them social skills. This is reflected in the behavior of his
athletes in that they are very cordial, friendly and respectful.
He frequently brings his athletes into the Sacramento Regional
Office and they are always very respectful of the work place
and are friendly to staff and volunteers. His athletes seem
to have a very positive attitude about sports and in everything
they undertake. This is a reflection of Phil's coaching and
teaching style.
 Amador Valley Booster Club has been a supporter of Special
Olympics East Bay region in 2006 in several categories. They
provided (free of charge) facilities for three regional competitions:
Basketball, Track and Volleyball. The Booster Club wraps their
support around the event and also donates any proceeds from
their snack shack sales to cover the mandatory custodial fees
that we incur. They provide and coordinate all of the student
and parent volunteers for all three events. Several of the
Booster members have taken leadership roles on our Games Management
Team committees. The Amador Valley Booster Club truly embraces
Special Olympics and our athletes, all the time with smiles
and support. They truly inspire greatness in our athletes.
We wish to recognize and applaud the following outstanding
nominees who are also commended for their extreme dedication
and commitment to our Program but more importantly to our athletes.
General Volunteer Category:
Sue Frandsen, Sacramento Region
Tracy Rivkin, Marin County
Anna Nino, Fresno County
Dana Gaudio, Silicon Valley Area
Denise Murphy, East Bay Region
Doug Kennedy, Sacramento Region
Jonathan Ching, Silicon Valley Region
Volunteer Family:
The Riley Family, East Bay Region
The Chang Family, Marin County
Volunteer Coach:
Marcy Caldwell, Shasta County
Jeff Gingery, Yuba/Sutter Area
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